Feb 2, 2012
(Started Feb 01, 2004)

Effectiveness

Moderate
(for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome hypermobility type)

Side effects

Mild
(chronic constipation)

Adherence

Always

Burden

Not at all hard to take

Dosage:
75 mcg
M,W,F

Advice & Tips:
make sure to eat regularly, I also make sure to have a high fiber diet, to regulate the chronic constipation this medicine has caused. For me, one or two Fiber One bars is all I need or 1-2 Cara Cara oranges.
We use another patch on top to hold it in place. it's from 3M. We then write the date & time we changed that patch to help with memory.
They didn't have this, but I change my patch ever 48 hours. I use 15 in 1 month's time, costing 8.00. I also insist on the Mylan brand, it's smaller, takes off less skin when removed and fits perfectly under the patches I use on top (will edit later with a name of this patch)!

Cost:
< $25 monthly

0helpful marks

Mar 4, 2014
(Started Jul 01, 2011)

Effectiveness

Moderate
(for chronic pain)

Side effects

Mild
(chronic constipation)

Adherence

Always

Burden

A little hard to take

Dosage:
25 mcg
M,W,F

Advice & Tips:
I've noticed with the fentanyl patch that I become accustomed to the dose rather quickly. I don't know whether it's my overall tolerance to narcotic pain relievers or what, but every time my doctor increases my patch dosage, the relief seems very short-lived; I'm talking within a couple weeks, it seems like it's no longer helping as it should.

0helpful marks

Jan 19, 2014
(Started Feb 26, 2013)

Effectiveness

Moderate
(for fibromyalgia)

Effectiveness

Moderate
(for chronic pain syndrome)

Side effects

Mild
(sleepiness)

Adherence

Always

Burden

A little hard to take

Dosage:
As needed

Advice & Tips:
Write date you put the patch on on the patch.

Cost:
< $25 monthly

0helpful marks

May 26, 2012
(Started Dec 15, 2010)

Effectiveness

Major
(for deep leg pain)

Side effects

Mild
(constipation, itching)

Adherence

Always

Burden

Not at all hard to take

Dosage:
25 mcg
Daily

Advice & Tips:
i have side effects to most narcotics. i did not like watching the clock and worrying about when it was time for my meds. caring pills around.
with the patch i change it every 3 days. i alternate on my arms but get to itchy to place it the other recommended spots. change it and forget it, then take Vicodin once or twice a day for breakthrough.
i gets alittle hot and sweaty but i use a trans dermal bandage/see though. a box is about $10s for month and really keeps them stuck
i have bad reactions to most pain meds like percocet and Oxycontin and i did not like having to watch the clock and carry meds around with me so i could take it ever 4 hours. i really like being able to put on patch on my arm (alternating) every three days and forget about it. only taking Vicodin for breakthrough. i am very pleased with it

Cost:
< $25 monthly

1helpful mark

Oct 8, 2010
(Started Feb 01, 2010)

Effectiveness

Slight
(for chronic pain)

Side effects

Mild

Adherence

Always

Burden

A little hard to take

Dosage:
12 mcg
Daily

Advice & Tips:
I started having an allergy to the adhesive and I quit taking the fentanyl because I need more options in pain relief and my doctor seemed really concerned about me being on the patch. I was still in so much pain on the patch. I asked my doctor to increase it in the past but she did not want to. Then I started developing the allergy. I was in so much pain the last month I was on the patch overall I determined that the box of patches I recieved was deffective. One bad thing was the patches kept coming off and you cannot put tape on top of it to stay on or the patch will be less effective.

Cost:
< $25 monthly

0helpful marks

Sep 7, 2010
(Started May 01, 2009)

Effectiveness

Moderate
(for pain)

Side effects

Mild
(skin irritation under patch)

Adherence

Always

Burden

Not at all hard to take

Dosage:
250 mcg
Monthly

Cost:
< $25 monthly

Side effects:
skin irritation under patch

0helpful marks

Jul 13, 2010
(Started May 17, 2010)

Effectiveness

Moderate
(for pain)

Side effects

Mild
(skin irritation under patch)

Adherence

Always

Burden

Not at all hard to take

Dosage:
75 mcg
All the time (24/7)

Cost:
< $25 monthly

Side effects:
skin irritation under patch

0helpful marks

Feb 25, 2010
(Started Feb 11, 2009)

Effectiveness

Major
(for pain)

Side effects

Mild
(skin irritation under patch)

Adherence

Always

Burden

Somewhat hard to take

Dosage:
25 mcg
All the time (24/7)

Advice & Tips:
Helps me sleep much better.

Cost:
$50-99 monthly

Side effects:
skin irritation under patch

0helpful marks

Mar 11, 2009
(Started Aug 14, 2001)

Effectiveness

Moderate
(for fibromyalgia)

Side effects

Mild
(constipation)

Adherence

Always

Burden

Not at all hard to take

Dosage:
25 mcg
Daily

Advice & Tips:
Think it was the best treatment I had taken for fibro and took it for several years until they changed manufactures and I had allergic reactions.

Cost:
< $25 monthly

Side effects:
constipation

0helpful marks

Jan 11, 2009
(Started )

Effectiveness

Moderate
(for pain)

Side effects

Mild
(constipation, adhesive reaction)

Adherence

Always

Burden

A little hard to take

Advice & Tips:
This patch has really taken the edge off of my pain, although it hasnt completely taken it away. Make sure you stay on top of changing your patch as advised. And remember that each time you move up a dose you feel high, but just remember that your body will get used to it and you will go back to being you. I function just fine everyday.